Just Mets

Of all the variables and equations the Mets need to solve in the midst of their injury-plagued first ten percent of the season, the Mets know one thing about Kevin Plawecki right now.

As long as he is in the big leagues, he is going to be the everyday catcher.

Terry Collins said as much before Tuesday’s win against the Braves.

“You bring a prospects to the big leagues, he plays,” Collins said of Plawecki on Tuesday afternoon.

Collins said Plawecki will only get time off in day games after night games, meaning Anthony Recker will catch during those instances.

But here is a fair question to ponder, one which many Mets fans are already asking:

If Kevin Plawecki performs well while he’s here, what do they do when Travis d’Arnaud is ready to return from the disabled list?

That’s a good question, one which doesn’t really have many answers. D’Arnaud himself couldn’t answer that after last nights win.

“That thought honestly hasn’t even come into my head,” d’Arnaud said. “It’s about playing for the name on the front, playing for the city. That’s what we’re all here for, to win a championship.”

There’s no way to know how Plawecki’s stint in the big leagues will go. Yes, Tuesday’s game was great for him, but it will be at least a month before d’Arnaud can return.

That gives the Mets time to see what they have right now in Plawecki, and time to figure out what’s next for them behind the plate.

The thing is, d’Arnaud hardly merits any kind of demotion in his role. Before getting injured, he was hitting .317 and was leading all catchers with 11 RBI. And, both his throwing and catching have dramatically improved over the first two weeks of the season.

Overall, he’s been outstanding since returning from the minor leagues last June.

As for Plawecki, team insiders continue to maintain he will not be moved out from behind the plate in the near-term. He is the sixth best catching prospect in the game, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, and his value could be diminished if they migrate him and try and teach him another position.

He can play first base, but the design of that had previously been to give his body a break while keeping his bat in the lineup. There is no intention to transition him to that position right now.

Besides, they have Lucas Duda who has established himself now, and Michael Cuddyer and John Mayberry Jr. as options against tough left-ganders or to give Duda a day off. Using Plawecki in that role devalues Mayberry, at a minimum.

As of today, I assume Plawecki will go back to Las Vegas to play everyday once d’Arnaud returns, regardless of how well he performs. That would stink but he must play everyday, as does d’Arnaud.

It’s also noteworthy d’Arnaud has one option remaining, whereas Plawecki has three.

The Mets will just have to cross this bridge when they get there. Right now, the focus is on winning, and Plawecki gives them the best opportunity to do so while they wait for d’Arnaud to get back.

And that’s really all that matters.